While the exodus of U.S. citizens and others fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan remains chaotic and uncertain, the long-range uncertainty in that country is even more unpredictable. While some fear a new al Qaeda or similar terrorist breeding ground, there are new threats afoot.
As Doug McKelway reports, China’s diplomatic entrance in the fray, immediately recognizing the new state of The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, may signal a more sinister motivation — the possible exploitation of Afghanistan’s rare earth metals, a resource that may be worth up to $3 trillion.
